HEALTH INFO/NOTES
Dr. Peter Pantel, Ph.D.

Lutein, Zeaxantin and Zink reduce risk of Macular Degeneration.
Those who consume the most lutein and zeaxanthin least likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Macular Degeneration - The macula is part of the eye that allows the eye to see fine details at the center of the field of vision. Degeneration of the macula is most noted in an aging person, and results in loss of vision at the center fo the field of vision ... resulting in near blindnes.

Accoding to this study, people whose diets contained the most lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc had the least risk for going blind in the center of the field of vision.

Researchers from the University of Sydney, Australia, followed over 2000 men and women for 5 and 10 years. Scientists also measured nutrients in the diet (not synthetic or concentrates) including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cyptoxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, vitamins A, C and E, iron and zinc.

Those who consumed the most lutein and zeaxanthin were 65% less likely to develop Age Related Mcaular Degeneration.

Those who consumed just above average amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin were 34% less likely to develop early signs of AMD (reticular drusen), compared to those below average.

Those who consumed the most zinc were 44% less likely to have any type of AMD compared to those who consumed less zinc. Doctors noted that the results support results reported in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study, a large multi-center U.S. study funded by the National Eye Institute that followed 4,700 participants and found that antioxidants protect against AMD.

The richest sources of Lutein and Zeaxanthin are Marigold petals (about 20 times more than spinach), dark green vegetables such a spinach, kale and collard greens, carrots, Super/Veggies and egg yolk(but yolks introduce the cholesterol factor.

Ophthalmology: July, 2007.